background image

10

Cutting Height Adjustment Levers

These levers are located on each wheel and are used 
to adjust the cutting height. These levers have to be at 
the same relative position to ensure uniform cut.

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. 
Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to 
start the unit.

Grass Catcher

The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is 
used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another 
site. Once the bag is full, it has to be removed from the 
mower and emptied before any further mowing.

Mulching Plug

Instead of collecting grass clippings in a grass catcher, 
this mower has the option of recirculating the clippings 
back to the lawn. This is called mulching. Remove the 
grass catcher and the side-discharge chute from the 
mower, and operate with the mulching plug only for this 
purpose.

SECTION 5:  OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER

NOTE:  You must service the engine with oil and
gasoline before starting the mower for the first time.
Check oil and gasoline levels and fill up as necessary
for subsequent starts.

Gas & Oil Fill-Up 

Check oil level and add oil if necessary. Follow 
relevant instructions in the engine manual for this. 

Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in 
the engine manual. 

Before Starting Mower

Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain 
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire 
(inside the rubber boot) is fastened securely over 
the metal tip on the spark plug.

Starting Engine

Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds 
between each push. In cold weather around 55° F 
or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a 
warm engine after a short shutdown.

Standing behind the mower, depress the blade 
control handle and hold it against the upper handle.

Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until 
engine reaches the start of compression cycle 
(rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the 
rope rewind slowly. 

Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. 
Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the 
rope rewind slowly.

NOTE: See your engine manual packed with your unit
for more detailed instructions.

Stopping Engine 

Release blade control handle to stop the engine 
and the blade.

Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from 
spark plug to prevent accidental starting. 

Using Your Lawn Mower

You can use your mower as a mulching mower or a 
rear bagger. 

Be sure that the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, 
or other objects which could damage lawn mower 
or engine. 

For best results, do not cut wet grass. New grass or 
thick grass may require a narrower cut.

WARNING: 

Read, understand, and follow all 

instructions and warnings on the machine and 
in this manual before operating.

WARNING: 

Use extreme care when 

handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely 
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never 
fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is 
hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, 
pipes and other sources of ignition.

WARNING: 

Be sure no one other than the 

operator is standing near the lawn mower while 
starting engine or operating mower. 

WARNING: 

Never run engine indoors or in 

enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine 
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an 
odorless and deadly gas. 

WARNING: 

Keep hands, feet, hair and 

loose clothing away from any moving parts on 
engine and lawn mower. 

Summary of Contents for 549

Page 1: ...plicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the State of California the above is required by law Section 4442...

Page 2: ...help from the experts Choose from the options below Visit yardman com for many useful suggestions Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here Click on the approp...

Page 3: ...rotating parts or under the cutting deck Contact with the blade can amputate hands and feet 9 A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries 10 Many injuries oc...

Page 4: ...ooting or balance 2 Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge 3 Do not mow on wet grass Unstable footing could cause slipping Children Tragic accidents can occur if the ope...

Page 5: ...to improper performance and compromise safety 4 Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them 5 Keep all nuts bolts and screws tight to be...

Page 6: ...N T I N G A 1 5 S L O P E WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees a rise of approximately 2 1 2 feet every 10 feet A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury If...

Page 7: ...pull back on the upper handle to raise the handle into the operating position See Figure 2 Make certain the lower handle is seated securely into the handle bracket assemblies Figure 2 Make sure that...

Page 8: ...came pre assembled proceed to the next section If it came unassembled follow the steps below to assemble it first before attaching to the mower Insert frame into grass bag with the black plastic side...

Page 9: ...Let mulch plug rest against the deck Operate mower without the grass catcher Refer to page 11 SECTION 4 KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER Figure 12 Read this operator s manual and safety rules before operating yo...

Page 10: ...ld weather around 55 F or below prime five times Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown Standing behind the mower depress the blade control handle and hold it against the upper h...

Page 11: ...ps from the weld pins on the handle brackets and remove the wing nuts and carriage bolts from the upper hole on the handle mounting bracket Press out on the legs of the lower handle and remove lower h...

Page 12: ...point on each end of the rear discharge door using a light oil This will prevent rusting of the discharge door Engine Care Follow the accompanying engine manual for detailed list and instructions SEC...

Page 13: ...ne storage instructions Coat mower s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting Store mower in a dry clean area Do not store next to corrosive materials such as fertilizer SECTION 9 TROUBLES...

Page 14: ...ARTS LIST FOR MODEL 549 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 19 2 49 50 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 40 47 54 53 51 52 65 37 42 40 39 36 15 35 22 31 32 16 25 29 26 49 30 49 23 49 21 20 34 43 45 64 29 24 49 33 17 36 5 14...

Page 15: ...82 5004A Rear Baffle RH 31 782 5003 Rear Baffle LH 32 710 1017 Tap Screw 1 4 14 x 625 33 712 3005 Flange Lock Nut 3 8 16 34 710 0703 Hex Carriage Screw 1 4 20 35 687 02033 Handle Bracket RH 687 02031...

Page 16: ...tments and normal deterioration of the exterior finish due to use or exposure d Service completed by someone other than an authorized service dealer e MTD does not extend any warranty for products sol...

Reviews: